Fountain-pen



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. W. STEWART.

FOUNTAIN PEN.

'No. 351,718. Patented Oct. 26, 1886.

N. PETERS. Phulu-Ulhngmplmr, Washington. 116.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet '2.

. W. W; STEWART.

FOUNTAIN PEN.

No. 351,718. Patented 001;. 26, 1886.

I l \\\\\\\\\I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Y INVENTOR: WITNESSES. Wmm% Mari By his Attorneys,

@M (39mm m N PETERS Plwio-Lilhognplmr. Washington. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVILLlAM STEWART, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FOUNTAIN-PEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,718, dated October 26, 1886.

Application filed March 5,1886. Serial No. 194,121. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern} Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. STEWART,

a citizen of the .United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fountain-Pens, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to those pens having an ink-reservoir in the holder with a duct or ducts for ink or air leading down from such reservoirto the pen or pen-nib.

The improvements pertain to the pen itself, to the ink-ducts, to'the nozzle, and to the protecting cover or cap.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings is an elevation of the preferred construction of pen, the cover being shown detached and in section. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal mid-section of the pen. Fig. 3'is afragmentarylongitudinal mid-section, lookingdown, showing the nozzle, pen, and cover. Fig. 4isatransverse section cut on the line 4 4 in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the nozzle detached, and Fig. 6 is a plan view of the pen-nib removed. The remaining figures illustrate modifications. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 8 is an elevation, of the tube therein. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectionof another construction. Fig. 10 is an elevation of the tube therein. Fig. ll is a cross-section on line 11 11 in Fig. 9, and Fig. 12 shows a wedge or key removed. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section ofa further modification, of which Fig. 14 is a transverse section on the line 14. 14." Figs. 15 and-16 are longitudinal sections of the simplest form of my invention, and Fig.1? is a transverse section on the line 17 17. I I will first describe the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6. Let A designate the tubular holder or handle, forming the reservoir for the ink; B, the nozzle, which closes the lower end of the holder and holds thepen; O, the cap or plug which closes the upper end of the holder; D, the pen proper or pen-nib, and E the pro- 45 tecting cover or cap, which fits removably upon the nozzle and incloses and protects the pen-point when not in use. The nozzle B is made with a threaded portion, a, which screws into the holder A, and toward its front end it has another threaded portion, 7), on which Screws a tube, F, preferably of metal, which serves as the tubular extension or jacket claimed in my Patent No. 237,454, dated February 8, 1881. The rear of the nozzle is formed with or has attached to it atube, G, which ex- 5 5 tends a considerable-distance into the reservoir. A bore, 0, is formed entirely through the nozzle and this tube G. The front end or nose of the nozzle has aslit or kerf, d, sawed in it, eXtendiu g back, preferably,int0 the threaded portion b and terminating at'e, which forms a shoulder. The pen D enters this slit. The shank f of the pen iscut away on both sides to make it barely narrow enough to enter the bore 0, and leaving shoulders g g, which, when the pen is inserted in the slit cl and pressed back, strike the shoulder e. On one side of the slit d the nose of the nozzle forms a duct or gutter, h, and on the other side it projects farther and forms a similar but longer gutter, h. The pen may be turned either side up, so that the gutter it will come on top, as shown in Fig. 1, or underneath, as shown in Fig. 2. This is desirable for difl'erent kinds of pens, as with some pens it is prefer- 7 able to have the longer duct on top, while with some others it is best to have it beneath. The tube Or should be closed at its upper or rear end by a plug, 2', or otherwise, and it has aslit orslits,j, sawed in it, or is provided with a number of small perforations, as shown in Fig. 7. The slits are so narrow as to exert a capil- I lary attraction, whereby they serve to regulate and retard or control t-heflow of the ink from the reservoir down to the pen and of air from the pen up into the reservoir. The interior or bore of the'tube Gthus constitutes a condensingcharnberfli equivalent to the chambers shown in my previous patents. When the pen D is in place in the slit (1, its shank f projects some distance into the bore 0, and divides it longitudinally into two nearly equal portions. The bore 0 is thus divided into two ducts-one extending down on top of the pen and the other extending down beneath the pen. The ink flowing down is cut or divided by the heel of the pen, converting it into two streams, each of which fiowsthen through a smaller duct or passage, so that it is more fully under the influence of capillary attraction. These smaller ducts orpassages are semi-cylindrical in crosssection, the half-round wall being of hard rubber, which is softened by the soaking action of the ink, andserves as an attractive surface for the fluid, while the approximately-flat wall is formed by the gold pen itself, the polished metal surface of which acts as a rcpellentof the fluid. I thus utilize the principle of combined attractions and repellents, or absorbent and glazed surfaces, set forth in my Patent No. 253,953, dated February 21, 1882. The division of the bore 0 by the shanks of the pen has the further advantage of facilitating the passage of the down-flowing ink and the ascending bubbles of air. The formerwill ordinarily monopolize one duct, while the latter will confine itself to the other. At times the ink will flow down the upper duct, while the air ascends beneath the pen, and at other times their positions will be reversed.

The division of the bore or dust or passage leading down from thereservoir, by the projection of the shank of the pen into it, is the leading feature of my present invention.

Referring to Fig. 2, Z is a hole in the nose, through the gutter It. This affords communication from the rear of the chamber or inclosed space I, formed within the jacket F, to the duct in the gutter II. It frequently happens that an excess of ink will run down toward the pen and be attracted up into the chamber I.

It remains in this chamber until drawn off in writing; or, if the necessary conditions occur, it flows through this holeZ back into the duct. \Vhen the pen is inverted, this ink will usually flow back in this manner. Holes a n are formed in the jacket Fto admit airand afford lateral ventilation for the chamber I.

Referring to Fig. 6, the pen is provided with a slender wire, in, bent double, .in the form of a hairpin, with its bend passed through a hole, 0, in the pen, and its straight portions or legs extending back longitudinally along the shank of the pen. pass through the half-round ducts above and below the pen, as shown in Fig. .4, and their ends extend into the undivided portion of the bore 0 beyond the heel of the pen, as shown in Fig. 7. The wire m is omitted from Figs. 2 and 3 for the sake of clearness. Its function is to keep the half-round ducts from choking up, by acting as an irritant to the fluid. A bristle might be substituted for the wire,

be used in place of either. The end of the tube G is closed by a bar, L, of wood or other absorbent substance which can be thoroughly soaked or softened by the ink and yet will retain its shape and hold itself in place. This bar extends nearly or quite through theholder or ink-reservoir, and when the pen is in use projects into the part of the holder which usually contains air, thus serving to keep the air moistened with ink and to prevent its escape from the conditionot' bubbles orfroth. It also acts to hold the mass ot'iuk in the holder under capillary influence, preventing its too free movement.

In order to obviate the cementing fast of the nozzle B where it screws into the holderA by the drying of the ink in the screw-threads a,

The legs of the wire at l I 'cut a groove or slit, m, Fig. 5, extending across the screwthreads. I thus form a duct or channel leading from the interior of the reservoir, which may conduct the water or solvent of the ink into the screw-threads, thereby keepingthe interstices thereof filled with fluid and preventing the drying of the solid portions of the ink therein.

The protecting-cover IQ of fountaiirpens as ordinarily constructed is a simple cap, which fits over the nozzle B when the pen is carried in the pocket, and fits upon the plug 0 when the pen is in use. It has been found that while carrying the pen in the pocket a small quantity of ink occasionally finds its way up into this cover, and thence into the space between the cover and the nozzle B,-so that when the cover is removed a film of ink is found upon the nozzle, thus either soiling the fingers of the writer or giving him the trouble of wiping it off. A To obviate this difficultyI provide the interior of the cover with some sort of capillary surfaces or interstices for attracting to themselves and retaining any ink which may enter the cover, or any fluid which may condense therein. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the cover is simply provided with a ring, J, of hard rubber or other suitable material, which fits tightly into it and is forced in edgewise, as shown. This ring should be somewhat larger than the interior of the cover, so that it is compressed into elliptical form therein, whereby it tends to remain in a longitudinal posit-ion, instead of turning crosswise. I find that this simple expedient cntirel y obviates the objection referred to, so that on removing the cover the nozzle B is clean and dry.

Fig. 7 shows a modified construction of the cover. Its rounded head is sawed through, and in the kerf a fiat plate or partition,J,is placed, being cemented in place and finished. off upon the outside, so that it does not show. The plate J has numerous small perforations. The effect is much the same as when the ring J is used; but as the latter is simpler and cheaper I prefer it. Fig. 9 shows a helix, J, inserted t in a cover, E. The helixis preferably of hard rubber, although metal may be used. or a thread or other permeable strand might It is held in place by a shoulder, p, in the cover. Any construction or device for the interior of the cover which will afford capillary interstices or absorbent or attractive surfaces for holding the fluid which enters or condenses in the cover will answer the purpose and will be the equivalent of the devices shown.

Fig. 7 shows a slightly-modified construction of the fountain-holder. The nozzleB and tube G- are not both in one piece, but are distinct pieces. The nozzle is formed with a throat, q, into which the tube G fits. This tube is shown detached in Fig. 8. It isasimple tube, preferably of hard rubber, slitted at its lower end at d to receive the pen, and having its upper portion perforated at jj, and closed by a plug, 6, at its upper end. The slitted lower portion of the tube forms the gutters h h, which in this construction are' shown of equal length.

Fig. 9 shows another modified construction. The tube G enters through-the throat of the nozzle-B, and has a shoulder, 1', which encounters a shoulder, s, in the throat, to prevent the tube entering too far. The lower portion of the tube G is thus rendered larger, as shown in Fig. 10. This construction is adapted to larger pens than the construction shown in the preceding figures. The exterior of the tubeG should have a diameter equal to the width of the inside flanks of the pen, so that they will fit together, as shown in Fig. 11. The slit'd is formed diagonally, so that the point'of thepen D is raised to about the position most common in pens, insteadof being in the axis of the holder, as in Figs. 2 and 7. YVhen'the pen has been. inserted, a wedge or key, H, (shown detached in Fig. 12,) is pressed in beneath it, thus not only wedging the pen fast in place, but slightly expanding the divided lower end of the tube Gand causing it to bear tightly against the interior or throat of the nozzle B. The key H has a groove, u, in its upper side to serve as a duct forconveyingink down beneath the pen. The jacket F is here shown as formed in one piece with the noz zle B.

Figs. 13 and 14 show a modification, wherein the tube G is dispensed with. The nozzle B has two slits, d d, sawed through it in planes crossing each other, forming a l-, as shown in Fig. 14. The reduced shank f of the pen D is inserted into either of these slits-d, for instance-and the other slit tl, forinstance is thus divided into an upper and a lower duct, to the sameeffect as already described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. The wire or strand in. passes through-these ducts and extends up into the holder, as shown. A hole, 1;, is bored into the nozzle B from the top, and it is closed by a hollow screw-plug,w, thus forminga closed chamber or pocket, 2;, to hold'a supply of ink or to provide a space where the air-bubbles or froth may collect and pass.

Figs. 15, 16, and 17 show the siniplestconstruction of pen which involves the distinguishing feature of my invention. The nozzle B and tube A are both made in one piece.. The. slit (1 is sawed with a tubular saw, to fit asteel pen or a gold pen of like shape, as shown. The duct which is divided by the pen isa simple bore, 0, through the nozzle. The jacket F is omitted.

The cover E and some other features of my present invention maybe applied to stylus pens without any material change.

I claim as my invention 1. Afountainpen constructed with a duct or passage extending down from the ink-reservoir, with the shank or heel of the pen arranged to divide such duct or passage, whereby ink or air may pass up or down along the shank of the pen, substantially as set forth.

2. A fountain-pen constructed with a duct or passage extending down from the ink-reservoir, and a longitudinal slit for the pen entering such duct or passage, whereby when the pen is inverted in said slit its shank divides the duct or passage, substantially as set forth.

3. A fountain-pen constructed with an inkreservoir in the holder and with a cylindrical bore extending through the nozzle into the reservoir, and the heel of thepen entering said bore and dividing it into two semi-cylindrical duets, the opposed surfaces of which are respectively the absorbent surface of the wall of the bore and the polished metallic surface of the pen, substantially as set forth.

4. A fountain-pen constructed with a holder. A, a nozzle, 13, a tube, G, projecting into the longitudinal slit, (7, for the pen intersecting said bore, whereby when the pen is insertedin said slit its shank divides the ink duct or passage formed by said bore,substantially as set forth.

5. A fountain-pen constructed with a holder, A, a nozzle, B, an ink-duct extending from the reservoir in the holder down through said nozzle to the pen, and a reversible gutter, 72/, leading down on top of or underneath the pen, substantially as set forth.

6. In a fountain-pen, the ink-duct intersect ed by a slit for the pen,whereby the insertion of the pen divides the duct, and the nose of the pen formed with a long gutter, h, and a short gutter, h, extending onopposite sides'of the pen, substantially as set forth.

7. In afonntain-pen, the construction of the nose with a slit for the pen, thereby forming two gutters for conducting the ink to opposite sides of the pen, and a small hole or vent, I, through the wall of one of said gutters, as de scribed. a

8. In afountain-pen, the combination, with I the holder, nozzle, and ink-duet, of the tubular extension or protecting jacket F, inclosing the pen and forming a chamber or recess,

ing the slit therein and constructed with itsshank f of reduced width, forming shoulders g g, substantially as shown.

10. In a fountain-pen wherein the inlnduet is divided by the insertion of the pen, the comtracting and holding fluid that may condense therein,substantially as set forth.

ICC

ITOv

13. A cover, E, fora fountain-pen, provided tending beyond the sameinto the upper part 10 with a ring, J inserted in it and forming cnof the reservoir, substantially as set forth. pillary interstices for attracting and holding l In witness WhereofI have hereunto signed fluid, substantially as set forth. my name in the presence of two subscribing 14. A fountain-pen provided with a tube, witnesses. G, extendinginto the ink-reservoirand serving XVILLIAM XV. STEW ART. as a duet to convey ink down to the pen, com- \Vitnesses:

ARTHUR O. FRAsnR,

bined with aeapillary-lmr, L, of stiff absorbent GEORGE H. FRASER.

mnterial, fixed to the end of said tube and ex- 

